Put Your Heart Into it! 

Five Tips for Optimal Summer Wellness According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Eva Inglizian L.Ac. (on site acupuncturist and herbalist at Natura Health and Wellness Clinic)

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the seasons have a profound influence on our well-being. Each season has its own attributes and truly aligning with them allows us to live in balance with nature and achieve vitality and health.  I will share five wellness tips on how to tap into summer as a period of luxurious growth. 

1. Embody Your Yang Energy 

Summer is the season of utmost yang. Yang is the principle of growth, expansion, outward-focus, creativity and manifestation. Wake early and mimic what our garden flowers and feathery friends do. Feel nurtured by the sun, and blossom and shine your brightest expression. Play, adventure and be creative while enjoying the brilliance of the outside world.  Symptoms of yang deficiency are cold hands and feet, sluggish in the morning, loose stools, fatigue, and low libido. As an acupuncturist I assist my clients with yang deficiency by activating certain acupuncture points to tonify and strengthen their yang energy. Boosting your yang energy now is beneficial as it sets you up with a strong immune system as we transition into fall and winter in a few months.

2. Summer Food Preparation

Prepare and enjoy all the brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables. Saute or steam your food lightly using a touch of pungent, spicy flavor to balance the cool nature of summer produce. Avoid oven use during the hottest months. I am loving the artichokes and dandelion greens that are fresh right now at the Saturday Farmer's market. Drink hot liquids and take warm showers to induce sweating when you feel overly hot. Eat smaller amounts, less protein, and practice mindful eating on cool patios, or enjoy a picnic in the forest. Clients often come to me because of  digestive issues. They may have symptoms of bloating, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea. I do acupuncture points that boost digestive energy, soothing stomach and spleen disharmonies along with nutritional suggestions for their constitution and the season.  My favorite cooling summer tea is sun tea made of chrysanthemum and mint and my favorite summer salad is arugula, watermelon and feta salad with a drizzle of good olive oil. 

3. Heal Your Heart

Summer is the season of the Fire Element, which rules the organs of the heart and small intestine. The heart acupuncture meridian affects the actual heart and the mind (spirit). The heart represents the emotional center of your body. When the heart is in balance we feel friendly, compassionate, have awakened minds and have a deep sense of clarity. When there is an imbalance in the heart there is a scattered or foggy mind, depression, anxiety, memory loss, insomnia, pale face, and aversion to heat. When my clients present with heart imbalances, I use points on the heart meridian, and use auricular (ear) acupuncture to calm the spirit, and tonify the heart allowing for peace, joy, and clarity to return. 

"I have deeply appreciated Eva‘s kind, nonjudgmental presence while I have been managing a traumatic brain injury. I feel her medical qi gong is particularly potent. In one of my first sessions with her for vestibular migraines, I felt a reversal of the migraine energy flow, as the energy learned how to drain out of my head. The vestibular migraines have disappeared. I have been a complicated case, and she has been fearless working with me and helpful with all the systems in my body. And bonus, I feel exceptionally calm and grounded after a session with her. " -Sarah

4. Stay Hydrated and Nurture Your Yin

During the hot and active summer months it is vital to replenish your fluids (yin substance). Infuse your water with cucumber, strawberry, apple slices or mint. Although summer is the yang season it is important to not exhaust yourself with all the fun activities. Play hard, but remember to take care of your yin energy. Yin represents your cooling nature, your feminine energy (all genders have a yin-feminine side), and your introspection. Practice cold dunking in a fresh river or lake water to replenish your yin. Meditate under a full moon, and lather nourishing and lubricating oils on your skin to keep supple and soft. 

5. Rest and Rejuvenate

In the midst of all the summer festivities, recreation, and fun, take time for some R & R. Acupuncture is a great way to harmonize your nervous system, reduce inflammation that may be causing pain, and deeply restore your reserves. I offer facial rejuvenation acupuncture as well to my clients for a healing session paired with the ancient beautification techniques of facial gua sha, facial cupping and massage. My clients feel the benefits of regular acupuncture and their radiant vitality shines from the inside out.  Try Qi Gong tapping (gently tap along your arms, legs and torso) as a fantastic and easy way to release stagnant energy and open up the flow through the meridians to feel revitalized. 

"Eva Inglizian is a very talented and intuitive practitioner.  I have been to several acupuncturists in the past, but she has given me the best results.  She took the time to carefully evaluate my situation and develop an effective approach.  My inflammation is noticeably better after each treatment, and this has made such a difference in my quality of life.  Eva has my highest recommendation! "  -Diana